All you need to know about WeAllShareRoots

I received a press release about a local handbag brand that I thought I must share on the blog because this is definitely something special worth sharing. This local handbag brand is called WeAllShareRoots. After reading the press release I simply fell in love with the brand and here is why:

• WeAllShareRoots is an African-inspired handbag brand. Their ethically-made bags are produced in partnership with small organizations in townships and family-owned SMEs in Cape Town. WeAllShareRoots’ bags contribute to positive change, sustainable development and poverty alleviation. They are also the first brand in Africa to use Piñatex® which is a vegan natural leather alternative, providing unique and trendy fashion pieces made from natural, sustainably-sourced, cruelty free material.

• Each bag is a unique creation, mixing local genuine leather or Piñatex® and African inspired prints (shweshwe, wax print, etc.). WeAllShareRoots’ (WASR) bags are original fashion pieces which bring together African colours, modern designs and respect for our planet and its inhabitants.

• WASR provides income and employment to underprivileged communities, through the production of their handbags. For the sewing and the assembly of the bags, they collaborate with a very small CMT, based in SeaWinds/Lavender Hill townships, facing together all the obstacles of non-conventional partnerships and fighting the lack of means.

• In 2018, aiming to go further in its ethical commitment, WASR launched a 100% vegan range of handbags. WeAllShareRoots made the choice of using Piñatex®, a new and innovative material intended to be a sustainable alternative to the mass production of leather. Made from natural wastes of the pineapple, with a low water use and reduced waste production, this material does not contain any harmful chemicals, thus enabling a responsible choice for a better future. WASR is proud to show the world that South African fashion brands can include the latest innovations in their ranges.

The bags are available in various African prints and the range includes:

Who is behind WeAllShareRoots?

Elise, a former Parisian now living in South Africa, and Rudi, born and bred in Cape Town, join forces on a daily basis to develop the brand and bring the ethical and local vision they have for the project to life. Elise is passionate about African colours and tries to capture them in the bags’ designs. She is the overall coordinator for the project. Rudi lends his knowledge of the local business environment and laws to the project. As for the production, this is carried out by a small network of craftsmen, NGOs and small and medium sized businesses.